I cleared CA-PCC in the first attempt but quit CA to join a startup & later pursued CPA Australia. Did the risk pay off?

• Hi there! My name is Shishir Chowkse. I hold a CPA Australia designation and a master’s degree from Macquarie University.
• Like most commerce students in India, I decided to pursue CA from the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
• However, mid-way through my CA journey (I cleared CPT and PCC), I dropped out and joined the finance team of a startup.
• After a few years of working in the startup world, I decided to pursue the CPA Australia Program to further my career.
• Since then I have had the opportunity to expand my career in three markets – India, Australia, and Canada.
• Here is my journey.

Realization struck midway through my CA journey

My father who is a businessman always asked me to reconcile his books and that inspired my knack for Accounting.

As expected, I did Commerce in high school and after Grade 12 I sat for the CA Entrance exams.

I was privileged to clear the entrance exams (CPT) on my first attempt. However, as a 17-year-old, I was not clear whether to go for undergraduate or continue pursuing a professional course like CA.